Showing posts with label baptism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baptism. Show all posts

Saturday, March 5, 2022

It's How You Live

Proverbs 31: 25-28

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her.

"It's not how you die; it's how you live." -JP

Most of you know my mom passed away on February 25. At ninety-five, we knew the days grew short, even still, losing a parent is hard. I doubt Mom ever dreamed she would live as long as she did, but once she passed ninety, she embraced her age.

Per Mom's request, in her last days we were able to keep her at home. She wanted to live as independently as possible, and being in the apartment attached to my brother's home gave her the independence she desired. There were times in her last days we wondered if she could stay there, but with the help of hospice, she remained comfortable in her own bed.

As a family, we did this to honor our mom's wishes. I'm thankful we had so many years with her and the opportunity to learn from her wisdom. Mom loved Jesus and her family. I remember as a child, and even an adult, Mom reminding me to wear my coat and to always be careful. She was concerned about our well-being and questioned us when she thought we needed it. She did that because she loved us like only a mother can. She loved with a fierceness and protectiveness.

Her love reminds me of how God loves. He has a deep adoration for His people and He wants nothing more than for us to love Him back. When I think about how much Mom loved me and how much I love my children, I begin to understand God's intense care for me. God loves us so much He sent his son to live on earth, to teach and to die for our sins. But He didn't stop there, He brought Jesus back to life.

Why did God do that? So people would have a chance to repent, be saved and baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, live a faith-filled life, and join Him in heaven. My mom would want you to know the love of Jesus, His forgiveness, and His amazing love.

Seek Jesus.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Let the Children Come

Luke 19:13-14
Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 

He ran down the aisle.

The night before, Eli told his mommy he wanted Jesus in his heart. Our grandson loves Jesus and he wants to go to heaven someday. He talked with his mommy and daddy about why he wanted to accept Jesus as his savior and be baptized; and at the young age of six years old, he's got it. So on Sunday morning, with total abandon he ran to the front of the church and met his grandpa who took his confession of faith. Then his daddy baptized this sweet young man in the water. After he came up out of the baptistery he looked at his mommy and said, through his beautiful grin, "I can't believe I have Jesus in my heart!" He was excited.

Jesus told us long ago to have the heart of a child. To run to him with total abandon. But how many times do I let my insecurities, frustrations, and doubts hold me back. Too often Satan gets in my ear and fills me with anxiety. The trouble is, I listen to him sometimes. My prayer today is that I can meet Jesus without constraint, love him unashamedly and run into his arms without hesitation. I asked him into my heart a long time ago. Now I need to bring him into every day and go to him for everything.

The Newsboys sing I Want to Live with Abandon. That's how I want to live! Like a child who runs to Jesus.